Highway marker



1965 J. H. LEMELSON 3,202,979

HIGHWAY MARKER Filed June 28, 1960 36 INVENTOR.

62 620 F x 640 gyrome H.Leme|son 6| 29 4' 32 '19- 5 United States Patent 3,202,979 HEGHWAY MARKER Jerome H. Lemelson, 8B Garfield Park Homes, Metuchen, NJ. Filed June 28, 1960, Ser. No. 39,401 2 Claims. (Cl. 340-321) This invention relates to an illuminated highway marker and is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No. 532,552, filed on September 6, 1955, and entitled Illuminated Highway Marker, issued on August 16, 1960, as US. Patent No. 2,949,531.

A conventional means for delineating a temporary dangerous road condition resulting vfrom roadway construction or the like, utilizes a flame operated lantern having a wick which is fed oil from a reservoir in the base of the lantern. Such a device has numerous disadvantages, the primary of which includes the facts that they must be refilled with oil after burning for a day or two and must be cleaned quite frequently to permit continued operation by removal of carbon and other deposits of combustion therefrom. Furthermore, these flame pots present a fire hazard since the flame is not retained and may extend a considerable distance from the lamp during its exposure to a high wind.

This invention has as a primary object the provision of a new and improved highway lamp which may be used as a replacement for the conventional oil fired, wick burning pot and has numerous advantages thereover.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved highway marker containing an electric lamp and which may be used directly on a roadway with little chance of damage thereto or .to the lamp if struck a glancing blow by the wheel of a vehicle.

Another object is to provide a new and improved illuminated highway marker for use directly on the surface of a road which will operate for relatively longer periods of time than the conventional oil fired road lamps and does not require cleaning to retain its operation.

Another object is to provide an improved illuminated highway marker having an electric lamp which may be viewed for 360 around said marker and which is provided with a protection means for preventing its malfunction or damage by direct impact from a vehicle.

Another object is to provide an improved illuminated highway marker which requires little maintenance and substantially no cleaning for its continued function.

Still another object is to provide an improved highway marker which is operated by a rechargeable battery whereby the battery may be recharged without removal from the marker or without disassembly of any parts of the marker housing.

Yet another object is to provide a highway marker for use directly on a roadway, the housing of which is completely free of external projections or sharp edges which would possibly damage rubber tires of vehicles running thereover, yet which is provided with means for disconnecting a power supply located within said housing from a light source therein, without need to disassemble or remove part of said housing.

Another object is to provide an electrically operated highway marker to replace the conventional oil fired pot, which marker has a resilient means for retaining an electric lamp a further distance above the roadway than the housing for the power supply whereby it is viewable for greater distances than said conventional oil fired marker.

Another object is to provide an improved illuminated highway marker for use directly on a roadway in a position whereby it may be struck a glancing blow by the wheels of passing vehicles, which marker is provided with a housing which is self righting on a level roadway regardless of how it is knocked over.

V Patented Aug. 24, 1965 ice Still another object is to provide an improved illuminated highway marker consisting of a plurality of subassemblies and components which are assemblable to form a hermetically sealed housing and may be rapidly disassembled without difllculty for the replacement of the components thereof.

The above and further objects as well as further features and advantages of the present invention will be best appreciated by reference to the following detailed description which makes reference to the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view in partial cross-section of an illuminated highway marker embodying features of the present invention and shows in broken line notation, variations in the exterior shape thereof;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of a modified embodiment of the high-way marker shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of a further modification of the marker of FIG. 1 in which the lamp housing conforms more .to the bulbous contour of the base support therefor;

FIG. 4 is an elevation with parts broken away for clarity of a highway marker having a flexible support for retaining a light source a distance above a supporting base, and

FIG. 5 is a side cross section of a further embodiment in the realm of the invention.

The illuminated highway marker of FIG. 1 is intended for use directly on the surface of a road or highway to delineate portions of said highway under construction or to mark ofI dangerous roadway conditions such as bumps, ruts or holes resulting from constructional activities or otherwise. Since these conditions frequently occur directly in the path of an oncoming vehicle or close by, a delineating device such as a flashing light, may frequently be struck a glancing blow or may be directly run over by the wheels of a vehicle. Accordingly, the device illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 1 has been designed to resist damage or destruction if run over or struck by theaverage vehicle and is genena'lly rounded in shape so as not to damage or destroy the tires of a vehicle.

An electric lamp 18 is shown secured within the upper portion of .a base assembly 10 consisting of a broad rounded or bulbous base housing 28 having a transparent cove-r assembly 12 secured to and protruding from its upper wall 28a. The exteriors of the assembly 12 and the rounded base 28 are shaped so that they provide a substantially smooth contour upon assembly without protrusions or edges. The bottom wall 28b of the housing 28 may be flat in order to retain the assembly upright on a flat surface or may be slightly rounded as illustrated by the contour 28' shown as a broken line which is somewhat ellipsoidal in shape and illustrates the ranges of external shapes possible for the base 28 of the assembly. A ballooned base such as illustrated by 28' will, of course, be more stable than the base referred to by the notation 28 and will be self righting if said assembly is struck a glancing blow by a passing vehicle provided that it is not completely upended. The notation 29 refers to ballast in the bottom of the housing 28 which may be any suitable heavy material such as lead, steel or the like. The ballast 29 may also comprise the same material of which the Wall 280 of lower housing 28 is made and may be cast or forged integrally with said wall.

The housing 28 is preferably fabricated of steel or glass reinfonced plastic. A rechargeable battery 32 is connectable to the light bulb 18 or flasher mechanism housed in 21 thru a switch 37 accessible from the exterior of the housing 28 preferably thru a small opening 45 therein. The notation 40 refers to an electrical receptacle for connecting a charging source of current to battery 32 via wires 39 when a plug 41 is removed from the opening in the housing in which 40 is secured.

The cover or lens 14 which protrudes from housing ible plastic such as plasticized vinyl chloride serves as a shock absorber and means for protecting the outer sur; face of shell 14 from scratching and chipping. The reinforcing cross-plates 16, 30 and 34 may be made of any suitable material and may be assembled with the housing by bonding or welding to'the interior surface of the side wall 28c or may be integrally molded or cast therewith to serve as partition means. The lower crossplate 34 is shown having an opening thru the central portions thereof for receiving" a threaded-coupling 29 which is held between 34 and the upper surface of the ballast 29. The exterior surface of the battery 32 is threaded at 32' permitting said battery to be screwed into and held by the threaded interior walls; of the cavity in 2'. The central cross-plate 30 is provided-with an opening 30 therethru through which the battery may be passed from above in assembling it with the fitting 29'.

The upper reinforcing plate-1Q extends across the trans- 4 necessary todetach the wires 36, 36 and 39 in order to remove the battery. The receptacles 19 and 29 are removable secured to the cross-plate 16 by means of screw fasteners and may be removed for replacement. To hermetically seal the electrical receptacle or plug from external dirt, moisture and water, a plastic or rubber plug or stopper is'adapted to be frictionally held in the opening 42 and in the upper'wall 28a of the housing 28 and may be removed therefrom when it is desired to charge the battery 32 without removing it by means of wires '39 which extend to the charging input of 32. A removable closure similar to 42 or a plastic cap may also be employed to seal the switch 37.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate highway markers which are internally'constructed in accordance with the design of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 the assembly 43 consists of a bulbous support 44 constructed as described and having a lens parent cover or lens sub-housing 14 and is externally threaded to be received by internal threads on the lower cylindrical portion 14b of 14 so that 16 may be removed therefrom when it is desired to replace the lamp 18 mounted' thereon. The notation '16 refers toa central hole thru 16 thru which conducting wires '20 extend from a receptacle 21 to the base'or socket 19 which receives the 28. It is thus seen that the assembly of the cross plate 16, "the lower portion 14b of-14, the cylindrical ring :27 landthe upper portion 28d of the housing'Zti provide sub cover 12a of semi-spherical shape. A switch such as 37 is accessible thru a first opening in the upper wall of ft3 and a recharging receptacle orinput device is accessible to a second opening 46 therein" both ofwhich are located adjacent each other.

In FIG. 3 the highway marker 48 consists of'a base I I 49, similar in shape to 44of FIG. 2 but modified with the openings 45 for receiving the switch arm and receptacle for the recharging lead provided in the' bottom wall of said housing. 'The transparent cover or subhousing 12b is semi-ellipsoidal in shape save for the lower portion thereof'which is secured to the lower wall of 49 and may be cylindrical or otherwise shaped.

' In FIG. 4 a modified form of the invention is illustrated having an elongated tubular rubber flexible sup-- I port 54- for a sub-housing'56 for said lamp 18. The

stantially an integral structure of extreme lateral strength.

Similarly. the cross-plates 30 and '34 substantially strengthen the lower housing walls softhatthe entire assembly is quite rugged and will resist relatively high loads such as imposed when the average automobile may impact thereagainst or run over the assembly.

Other features of the lamp and housing'illustrated in; clude an opening '26 in cover 13 in line with a cavity 24' in cover 14 into whicha spanner wrench may be inserted. for tightening and removing the transparent bowl shaped cover. The hole 24 is lined with an insert of steel 22 .to

prevent damage to the glass or plastic. The flexible trans:

parent outer sleeve or coating 13 also; serves as a means for sealing theperimeter of .theassembly to prevent the leakage of water to the interior, 7 Connectors 35 and 38 areprovided so that the battery 32 and upper assembly a may be removed with ease. Itisanoted that thetransparent bulbous housing wall.v 14 may .be considerably greater in wall thickness extending almost to. the surface of the lamp is and may be made vof high tensile glass or ceramic material.

It is noted that the highway marker illustrated V l is designed forrapid .replacement'of components. For.

example, the afore described spannerwrench means may be used for removingthe'upper transparent assembly 12.

fromr28. By unplugging 35 from 21 said assembly may. be completely removed fromthe vicinity of the-lower assembly. Thereafter, the cross-plate 16 may be removedby'means of a'spanner wrench and bulb 18'maybe re placed. The battery 32 may be removed-by unscrewing it from the receptacle 29' forreplacement or repair. In normal operation recharging of 32 maybe etfect'ed ashousing 56 consists of a tapered lower portion 56 and a semi-spherical lens cover 57 hermetically sealed thereto and preferably removable therefrom for replacing lamp 18. The lower end of 56 is provided with a cylindrical projection 55 which frictionally engages in the upper end of the tubular support 54 which maybe a section of heavy wall flexible plastic tubing or rubber. The 'lowerend of 54 is provided with a cylindrical coupling 53, the exterior ber ofuni'que characteristics not found in the markers 4 illustrated i'nFIGS, l to 3.

f'For examp e; the light source 57 is not only viewable from completely aroundsaid marker but from a distance above the base as defined by the length of the tubular support 54. If the base 51 is struck a glancing blow by the tire of avehicle the flexible member 54 will serve as a shock absorbing meansfor theh'ou sing 56 in that it 'will'deflectfifsl is hipcnded and will yield so'that the housing 56 will not be crushed or will notshatte'r The transparent cover 57 of 56 be made iniaccorda nce with the laminatedor composite assembly 12 of FIG. 1 or may be simply'made of heavy walled plastic or glass.

In -.anQtl 1er construction applicable also toFlG. 1, the

lamp 118 may be embedded .in a .plastic housing having,

a wall thickness extending to the surface of 18. This may be'elfected by casting the entire lens or cover 57 out of-a'plastic such as an epoxy resin around lamp 18 or with a central-cavity therein substantiallythe diamdescribed thru the inlet line 39 and by means of plugable receptacle 4!); The plug d8 which secures to the terminals' of battery}; is "also removable so that it isriot 'FIG. 5' illustrates a .modified form of the described highway marker, at least .part of the structure of which is applicable .to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4. The light source 18 and battery are retained in a cylindrical container 64 the lower end of the sidewall 64a of which is threaded at 64' and is threadablysecured in a threaded cavity in the ballast portion 63 in the bottom of an ellipsoidaliy shaped base 62. The base 62 serves to retain the lamp housing and lamp in an upright position on the roadway. It also protects the container 64 from direct contact with vehicle wheels preventing damage thereto and to said vehicle Wheels in the event that the assembly 60 is struck or run over.

The lamp assembly 61 includes a battery 32, lamp 1.8, semi-spherical lens or cover and hermetic sealing means for the interior volume thereof. The semi-spherical lens cover 65 is illustrated as being substantially solid through and through save for a small cavity 66 therein in which the lamp 118 nests. If made of a high impact transparent plastic or glass, the dome 65 may be directly run over by the wheel of the average motor-vehicle without collapsing or buckling. Assembly of dome 65 with the cylindrical container 64 may be efiected as illustrated in FIG. 1 and in the manner that 12 is assembled with container 28.

FIG. 5 also illustrates additional features and components found in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and it is to be understood that the internal reinforcing means, electrical connection and sealing means of the embodiment of FIG. 1 are applicable to the assembly 61. The notation 65 refers to an opening in the dome 65 for access to a switch and/or pluggable connection for recharging the battery which opening is also sealable as is 42 of FIG. 1. The rim of the opening in the top of housing or retainer 62 may be reinforced and threaded to receive and retain the upper end of cylindrical housing 64 or may be lined with rubber in the form of a washer for frictional engagement of 64 therein. The annular volume 62' defined by the upper wall of 62 and the surface of the cylinder 64, may be filled with a bulk material such as concrete, foamed plastic or the like to prevent water from collecting therein and to further reinforce and prevent said wall from buckling. The notation 61' refers to a disc shaped plate for reinforcing the upper end of 64a on which the socket for lamp 18 is mounted.

A latitude of modification and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in certain instances some features of the invention will be used Without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An illuminated highway marker comprising in combination:

(a) an assembly including a hollow, rigid walled housing having upper and lower housing assemblies and being of substantially bulbous external shape,

(b) ballast means provided in said lower housing assembly,

(c) an opening in the top of said housing,

((1) said housing having a battery compartment,

(e) internal reinforcing plate means disposed so as to form a partition to separate the upper portion from the lower portion of said assembly,

(f) said upper portion of said housing having a lens member with a transparent dome-shaped upper wall,

(g) a light source secured within said dome-shaped upper wall portion and operative for projecting light through the transparent portion thereof extending upwardly from said housing,

(h) a battery located within said battery compartment in the lower portion of said housing to define at least part of said ballast and help maintain the assembly erect on a surface, and

(i) means for hermetically sealing the inside of said housing and said lens member upon assembly of the two.

2. An illuminated highway marker comprising in combination:

(a) an assembly including a hollow, rigid walled housing having upper and lower walls and being of substantially bulbous external shape,

(b) ballast means provided in said housing,

(c) a centrally disposed opening in said upper Wall of said housing,

((1) said housing having a battery compartment comprising a cylindrical container forming a partition means dividing said housing into separate compartments, said container attached to said upper and lower Walls of said housing to provide rigidity for said housing,

(e) the upper portion of said assembly having a transparent, dome-shaped upper wall,

(i) ballast means located in the lower portion of said of said assembly and operative for projecting light though said transparent, dome-shaped wall,

(g) said battery compartment located within said cy drical container,

(h) a battery operatively connected to said light source and located within said battery compartment, and

(i) ballast means located in the lower portion of said housing,

(j) said ballast means including said battery and operative to help maintain the assembly erect on a surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,655,548 1/28 Honegger et al. 9-8.3 1,765,110 6/30 Stroke 340-366 2,002,756 5/35 Segelhorst 40-125 2,090,293 8/37 Haines 340-366 2,324,983 7/43 Gollings 9-8.3 2,539,403 1/51 Crirn et al 9-8.3 2,646,638 7/53 Peterson 40-125 2,959,892 11/60 Johnson 46-228 NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT H. ROSE, BENNETT G. MILLER,

' Examiners. 

1. AN ILLUMINATED HIGHWAY MARKER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) AN ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A HOLLOW, RIGID WALLED HOUSING HAVING UPPER AND LOWER HOUSING ASSEMBLIES AND BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY BULBOUS EXTERNAL SHAPE, (B) BALLAST MEANS PROVIDED IN SAID LOWER HOUSING ASSEMBLY, (C) AN OPENING IN THE TOP OF SAID HOUSING, (D) SAID HOUSING HAVING A BATTERY COMPARTMENT, (E) INTERNAL REINFORCING PLATE MEANS DISPOSED SO AS TO FORM A PARTITION TO SEPARATE THE UPPER PORTION FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID ASSEMBLY, (F) SAID UPPER PORTION OF SAID HOUSING HAVING A LENS MEMBER WITH A TRANSPARENT DOME-SHAPED UPPER WALL, (G) A LIGHT SOURCE SECURED WITHIN SAID DOME-SHAPED UPPER WALL PORTION AND OPERATIVE FOR PROJECTING LIGHT THROUGH THE TRANSPARENT PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID HOUSING, (H) A BATTERY LOCATED WITHIN SAID BATTERY COMPARTMENT IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID HOUSING TO DEFINE AT LEAST PART OF SAID BALLAST AND HELP MAINTAIN THE ASSEMBLY ERECT ON A SURFACE, AND (I) MEANS FOR HERMETICALLY SEALING THE INSIDE OF SAID HOUSING AND SAID LENS MEMBER UPON ASSEMBLY OF THE TWO. 